Alternate art: Difference between revisions

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Some [[Magic: The Gathering]] cards have two or more versions with different art pieces. Such cards are said to have '''alternate art'''.
Some [[Magic: The Gathering]] cards have two or more versions with different art pieces. Such cards are said to have '''alternate art'''.


A few early sets, such as [[Alliances]], experimented with alternate art for cards to make common cards more collectible. However, Wizards came to believe that this impeded easy recognition of a card and that having multiple versions caused confusion when identifying a card at a glance. Consequently, alternate art is now only used sparingly and mostly for promotional cards. That said, when older cards are reprinted in new (non-Core Edition, and not "timeshifted" reprints in the Time Spiral set) sets, Wizards of the Coast has guaranteed that they will be printed with new art to make them more collectible.<ref>{{MTGref|mr121|Collecting My Thoughts|Mark Rosewater|Monday, April 26, 2004}} Retrieved on April 19, 2007.</ref>
A few early sets, such as [[Alliances]], experimented with alternate art for cards to make common cards more collectible. However, Wizards came to believe that this impeded easy recognition of a card and that having multiple versions caused confusion when identifying a card at a glance. Consequently, alternate art is now only used sparingly and mostly for promotional cards. That said, when older cards are reprinted in new (non-Core Edition, and not "[[timeshifted]]" reprints in the ''Time Spiral'' set) sets, Wizards of the Coast has guaranteed that they will be printed with new art to make them more collectible.<ref>{{MTGref|mr121|Collecting My Thoughts|Mark Rosewater|Monday, April 26, 2004}} Retrieved on April 19, 2007.</ref>


Alternate arts are used nowadays in reprints, and promotional cards, such as [[APAC land]]s and [[Prerelease cards|prerelease cards]]. Within a set, alternate art now generally only appears on the five basic land cards, as they are recognizable enough to avoid confusion.
Alternate arts are used nowadays in reprints, and promotional cards, such as [[APAC land]]s and [[Prerelease cards|prerelease cards]]. Within a set, alternate art now generally only appears on the five basic land cards, as they are recognizable enough to avoid confusion.

Revision as of 05:01, 5 July 2008

Some Magic: The Gathering cards have two or more versions with different art pieces. Such cards are said to have alternate art.

A few early sets, such as Alliances, experimented with alternate art for cards to make common cards more collectible. However, Wizards came to believe that this impeded easy recognition of a card and that having multiple versions caused confusion when identifying a card at a glance. Consequently, alternate art is now only used sparingly and mostly for promotional cards. That said, when older cards are reprinted in new (non-Core Edition, and not "timeshifted" reprints in the Time Spiral set) sets, Wizards of the Coast has guaranteed that they will be printed with new art to make them more collectible.[1]

Alternate arts are used nowadays in reprints, and promotional cards, such as APAC lands and prerelease cards. Within a set, alternate art now generally only appears on the five basic land cards, as they are recognizable enough to avoid confusion.

Alternate art cards

Player Rewards

Some of the most tournament-used cards in Magic have been reprinted with new art, an unusual frame, and only the cardname (aside from this, it is textless). These cards are given to players as rewards. An example of such a Player Reward cards with alternate art and an unusual frame is Mana Leak.

References